Snow plow



June 4, 1957 A. M. HEGERLAND 2,794,272

SNOW PLOW 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1954 gnvmror Wwmss .wk 1 M MQW Pi'arngys' June 4, 1957 A. M. HEGERLAND SNOW PLOW 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 50, 1954 United States Patent D SNOW PLOW Arent M. Hegerland, Nevada, Iowa Application August 30, 1954, Serial No. 452,826 7 Claims. (Cl. 37-45) My invention relates to improvements in snow plows.

One of the important objects of this invention is to provide a wheel mounted snow plow having various moving parts including conveyor means that are all operated by a drive means associated with the wheel assembly. In this respect my plow is designed to be pushed by a vehicle or manually depending on its size, so that no motor or other source of mechanical power for propelling the plow is required in the construction of the plow itself.

Another object of this invention is to provide a snow plow of the above class that has means for selectively discharging the gathered snow to either side of the plow relative to its direction of travel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a snow plow characterized by economy in manufacture, efliciency in operation and of a design adaptable for use on highways, side walks, driveways and private roads. In this regard it is one of my purposes to reduce the cost of such a plow by eliminating a motor mechanism and at the same time retaining certain mechanical aspects such as conveyors to reduce the effort involved whereby many persons, such as farmers w1th a private road, can economically afford a snow plow to quickly and easily handle their own snow removal problems.

Some of the other objects or purposes of this invention are to provide a snow plow of the above described type that is particularly adaptable for narrow roadways and can be designed for use thereon to adequately permit one way trafiic while efliciently removing the snow and can because of its economy many sources such as small communities which may not otherwise have adequate snow removal equipment because of excessive costs.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my invention shown attached to the bumper of a vehicle,

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. to more fully illustrate the construction and arrangement of this snow plow,

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on of Fig. l,

Fig. 4 is a side view of this snow plow with portions in section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of my new snow plow.

In order to more clearly understand the nature of this invention and a preferred means for carrying it out, reference is had to the drawings where like numerals are given, to like parts. As shown, a framework or chassis indicated generally by the numeral is formed by the spaced horizontal lower rails 12 and 14, the post. or upthe line 3-3 in manufacture be available to 36 of the caster variety lice 16 and 18 secured or integrally formed of the respective rails 12 and 14 standing members at the rearward end and the upstanding supports or posts 20 and 22 at the forward ends thereof. The forward posts 20 and 22 are of less height than the rearward posts 16 and '18 so that the upper rails or frame members 26 and 28 are on an incline as shown. Also the upper rails 26 and 28 project forwardly beyond posts 20 and 22 and a scoop member 30 is disposed between and supported by the forward ends thereof. Chassis 10 is made more rigid by braces 32, the cross bar 34 between posts 16 and 18 and other suitable braces as may be required and is further strengthened by certain of the operating parts as will later appear. Under each side of frame 10 at the rear is a wheel and centrally positioned between the forward ends of the lower rails 12 and 14 is the drive wheel 38 which serves the dual function of supporting the frame 10 and providing the driving power that will be described later in detail. Wheel 38 is suitably mounted on a shaft or axle 39 that is vertically slidably disposed at its respective ends to the posts 20 and 24 and for this purpose the ends of shaft 38 are formed complementary in shape with the inner sides of posts 20 and 22 so as to be interlocking therewith as shown in Fig. 2 and designatd by the numeral 40. A rack and pinion means 42 mounted on frame 10 and connected in a well known manner to axle 38 serves to raise or lower the frame to correspondingly change the position of scoop 30 relative to the ground and this is done by rotating handle 44. A pawl 46 (Fig. 4) is engageable with the pinion on assembly 42 to hold it against accidental movement.

A conveyor assembly 48-which of top rails 26 and 28 comprises the belt 50 provided with spaced transverse cleats or flights 52. The belt is secured in a well known manner to the chains 54 which move over the rollers 56 that are secured to and between rails 26 and 28 in longitudinal spaced relationship. A sprocket 58 may be provided on the front and rear roller 56 for engagement with the chain 54 to assure against slippage when the belt is carrying a load and this is illustrated for the forward roller 56 in Fig. 5. No invention is claimed in such conveyor assembly per so as any suitable conveyor means for carrying snow from the' scoop 30 may be employed.

At the upper rear portion of frame 10 are the oppositely disposed support plates 60 and 62 (Fig. 2) secured to or integrally formed with the respective posts 16 and 18 and are in edect a part of the frame structure for supporting certain parts as will be pointed out. A shaft or rod 64 rotatably secured to and between plates 60 and 62 carries a sleeve or collar 66 which is rotatable therewith and on which are mounted a pair of spaced sprockets 68. These sprockets are connected respectively by endless chains 70 to sprockets 72 (Fig. 4) secured at opposite sides of drive wheel 38 so that rotation of wheel 38 will rotate shaft 64 in the same direction therewith. A belt tightener in the form of the spring loaded idler sprocket 74 is associated with chain 70 in a well known manner as shown in Fig. 5 to keep the proper tension on that chain since it must be long enough to permit the movement of frame 10 by the rack and pinion 42 as above described. A clutch means 76 is associated with collar 66 and sprockets 68 for engaging or disengaging the same with drive wheel 38 and is manually operated by a lever control 78 mounted on plate 60.

A second shaft 80, to the rear of shaft 64, is rotatably disposed between plates 60 and 62 and has a central, reduced portion 82 on which is mounted for rotation therewith the sleeve 84 carrying at each respective end the bevel gears 86 and 88. Sleeve 84 is shorter in length than the reduced shaft portion 82 and slidable between the moves longitudinally extremities thereof by a lever control means 90 as shown in Fig. 2; To the respective ends of shafts 64 and 80'and on the outer side of plate 62 is mounted the respective gears 92 and94. Intermediate these gears hat p pose so that shaftBt w ll r t te'inthesam di ectionasshaft 64 and;.gear-9 6 will of course rotatefin the opp site direction relative Q thereto.

lflllwhichisconnected :to apulleywheel 162 on the rear roller .56 bythe-endless. belt 104., 'Bythis arrangement, rotation .of wheel ,38 provides the powerfor movingconveyor, assembly. 48 so thatonjthe ,top side of .rollers .56, belt flis moving .from front to. rear to ,carry ,snow. away rom-thescoopfifl; it

7 Extending rfrom the rear offlframelfl is a frame extension member 166,.whichis pivotally secured to the lower ends of "posts -16..and:-1 8:as indicated at ,108 and atthe rear'of'frame 106is the upstanding plate 110 or other suitable meansto which thebumper 112 of a vehicle (not shownlcan ea-secured byclamp 114.0r the like for pushing sthis plow in this respect, however, it will be understood that-on a plow ofthis type designed for manual pnshingthe- -frame.extension Mid-will be formed as a suitable;handlemeans. Spaced rearwardlyof frame and at the ,upper portion thereof'is a-snow deflector or shield l l6;,curved-forwardly toward and extending higher than the rearwardendof conveyor belt-50 which is secured tohframeltl, by suitable braees or;supports 118. Shield 116;isipositionedtransversely of the longitudinal plane of belt 50i.and;iszpreferablyslightly wider than the distance betweenrailsv 26' and 28. Substantially coextensive in length .with'shield;116 is a second conveyor means120 comprising spaced rollers 112 rotatably secured on a horizontal: plane. between cross bar 34zand the shield 116 on WhlCh I S carried the belt 124. One of the rollers 122 is connected forrotation with a shaft 126 having a bevel gear 128 for selective engagement with the gears 86 and 88 to change the direction of movement of belt 124. Conveyor 120 is-spacedbelow the rear end of conveyor 48 and will of course move transversely thereof.

Inoperation this snow plow is pushed forwardly into the snow and in; this respect it is pointed out that at each side of thescoop 39 there is detachably mounted an upstanding blade or knife 130 for slicing through and loosening the snow in a swath corresponding to the width of the scoop. Also centrally positioned on the scoop is theupstanding divider 132 for further dividing the snow and breaking it up. An edge plate 134 on the scoop 30 is removable for sharpening as is well known in the art. Conveyor 48' will operate simultaneously with rotation of the drive wheel 38 and likewise the conveyor 12% at the rear will rotate at thesame time'by engagement of gear 128 with either gear 86 or 88. If with gear 86, conveyor will move to the rightrelative to the direction of travel and to the left if engaged with gear 83. Snow moving up conveyor 48 will drop onto conveyor 124) where it can beselectivelydischargedto either the right or left side. Extension units 136 (Fig.3) may be provided for conveyor 1-20 in any suitable manner and geared by pinion 138 for moving in the same. direction therewith. A guard or shield 140- (Figs. 4 and 5) at the rear of frame 10 will guide the snow falling from conveyor 48 onto conveyor 120.

Normally. scoop 30 can he moved closely adjacent the ground if the snow is not too heavy and otherwise it can be elevated by-therackand pinion assembly 42 as above described. Clutch 76 can be used to disengage the drive wheel 38 from-the conveyors 48 and 120 for road travel when the snow plow is not used as such.

It is pointed out that wheel 38 is preferably a large wheel with a rubber tire and can be; provided with suitable chains or the liketoincreasetraction when necessary.

.92 and 94 is rp on or p v a 96 .whi hmeshe i hibothiq them. and is suitablymounted to the outer side of platej62 for A tub. haft. projects coaXially from gear ,9 6 an'd carries apulley wheel on said frame'intermediate said gears and meshing with 1 wheels for supporting vertically adjusting said axle, a

In addition, the wheel 38 can be provided with different size sprockets to vary the speed of the conveyors as is well known in the art.

For the most eificient use of my snow plow it is intended that it be used to keep roads open in the early stages of a snow which it is apparent can be done most economically, and it is not expected to use this plow as a replacement for large machines .capable of combating excessive drifts. Preferably I make this snow plow narrow enough to cover not more than one half of a roadway so as not to tie up trafficpnd at the same time to make it usable efficiently on roadsother than main highways. Its principle-of operation is simple, and the structure described is susceptible, of manufacture in small enough units for manual operation so that it can be made available to persons now not ordinarily able to have such a piece of snow removal equipment.

It is submitted that the invention shown and described is aptly suited to achieve the purposes intended and is characterized 'by a combination of highly useful and mutually cooperating elements that combine ;their respective and proportionate functions in accomplishing the objects sought to be obtained.

Some changes may be made in the construction and' arrangement of my snow plow without departing from the real spiritandpurpose of my inventiqmand it is my'intention'to coverby my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably-included Within'their scope.

.I claimf l. A snow plow, comprising, clined surface lower at the front than at the rear, caster wheels for-supporting the rear of the frame, a single drive wheel centrally arranged on said frame at its forwardend, a scoop on said frame, in line with said scoop, at the rear-of'said frame, drive means connecting said drive wheel to said first shaft, a second shaft rotatably a frame having an, in-

journalled at the-rear of said frame in spaced relationship tosaid first shaft, gears on corresponding ends of said first and second shafts,'a spur gear on said frame intemediate said gears and meshing 'with'both, and drive means connecting said second shaft to said conveyor.

2. A snow plow, comprising, a frame having an inchned surface lower at the front than at the rear, caster the rear of the frame, a single drive wheel centrally arranged on said frame at its forward end, a scoop on said frame, a conveyor on said frame in line with-said scoop, a first shaft rotatably journailed. at-the rear of said frame, drive means connecting said drivewheel to said first shaft, a second shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame in spaced relationshipto said first shaft, gears on corresponding ends of said first and second shafts, a spur gear on said frame intermediate said gears and meshing with both, drive means connecting said second shaft-to said conveyor, andaframe extension projecting from the rear of said frame; said frame extension provided with a contact surface for engagement with a source of external power for pushing said plow.

3. A snow plow, comprising, surface lower at the front than for supporting the rear of the frame, an axle, the respective ends of said axle vertically slidably arranged to respective sides of said frame, means on said frame for single drive wheel centrally disposed on said axle, a scoop on said frame, a conveyor on said frame in line with said scoop, a first shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame, drive means connecting said drive wheel to said first shaft, a second shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame in spaced relationship to said first shaft, gears on corresponding ends of said first and second shafts, a spur gear a frame having an inclined both, anddrive means connecting said second shaft-to saidconveyor.

a conveyor on said frame a first shaft rotatably journalled at the rear, caster wheels 4. A snow plow, comprising, a frame having an inclined surface lower at the front than at the rear, caster Wheels for supporting the rear of the frame, an axle, the respective ends of said axle vertically slidably arranged to respective sides of said frame, rack and pinion means on said frame for vertically adjusting said axle, a single drive wheel centrally disposed on said axle, a scoop on said frame, a conveyor on said frame in line with said scoop, a first shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame, drive means connecting said drive wheel to said first shaft, a second shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame in spaced relationship to said first shaft, gears on corresponding ends of said first and second shafts, a spur gear on said frame intermediate said gears and meshing with both, and drive means connecting said second shaft to said conveyor.

5. A snow plow, comprising, a frame having an inclined surface lower at the front than at the rear, caster wheels for supporting the rear of the frame, a single drive wheel centrally arranged on said frame at its forward end, a scoop on said frame, a conveyor on said frame in line with said scoop, a first shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame, drive means connecting said drive wheel to said first shaft, a second shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame in spaced relationship to said first shaft, a sleeve slidable on said second shaft, a bevel gear on each end of said sleeve, means for sliding said sleeve, gears on corresponding ends of said first and second shafts, a spur gear on said frame intermediate said gears and meshing with both, drive means connecting said second shaft to said conveyor, a second conveyor disposed at the rear of said frame to move transversely of said first mentioned conveyor, and means for selectively operatively engaging the respective bevel gears on said sleeve with said second conveyor for moving it in two opposite directions respectively.

6. A snow plow, comprising, a frame having an inclined surface lower at the front than at the rear, caster wheels for supporting the rear of the frame, a single drive wheel centrally arranged on said frame at its forward end, a scoop on said frame, a conveyor on said frame in line with said scoop, a first shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame, drive means connecting said drive wheel to said first shaft, a second shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame in spaced relationship to said first shaft, a sleeve slidable on said second shaft, a bevel gear on each end of said sleeve, means for sliding said sleeve, gears on corresponding ends of said first and second shafts, a spur gear on said frame intermediate said gears and meshing with both, drive means connecting said second shaft to said conveyor, a second conveyor disposed at the rear of said frame to move transversely of said first mentioned conveyor, a snow deflecting shield extending upwardly and forward from the rear side of said second conveyor, and means for selectively operatively engaging the respective bevel gears on said sleeve with said second conveyor for moving it in two opposite directions respectively.

7. A snow plow, comprising, a frame having an inclined surface lower at the front that at the rear, wheels at the rear of said frame for supporting the same, a scoop on the forward end, an upstanding divider in the center of said scoop, an upstanding knife member at each side of said scoop, an axle vertically movable mounted to the forward end of said frame, a drive wheel centrally arranged on said axle, means on said frame for vertically moving said axle, a first shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame, drive means con necting said drive wheel to said first shaft, a second shaft rotatably journalled at the rear of said frame in spaced relationship to said first shaft, gears on corresponding ends of said first and second shafts, a spur gear on said frame intermediate said gears and meshing with both, and drive means connecting said second shaft to said conveyor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,252,164 Peltier Jan. 1, 1918 1,502,430 Hayes July 22, 1924 1,577,264 Klamt Mar. 16, 1926 2,621,773 Coggins et a1. Dec. 16, 1952 

